This Vikings offseason, so far:
-watched Kirk Cousins sign with the Atlanta Falcons
-hired Josh McCown as quarterbacks coach
-signed Sam Darnold as a potential “bridge” quarterback
-acquired a second first-round pick from the Houston Texans
The Vikings have created a tremendous landing spot for a rookie quarterback. They are loaded with offensive playmakers like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones. They have strong bookend protectors in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Kevin O’Connell is an offensive-minded, former quarterback. He’s an emerging play-designer and play-caller. The addition of fellow former quarterback Josh McCown as quarterbacks coach is one of the biggest additions of the offseason. O’Connell has also re-organized the responsibilities of his coaching staff to allow for him to work more closely with his quarterbacks. Everything that the Vikings have done this offseason has been with adding a high-end, rookie quarterback in mind. The aggressiveness of those intentions is best seen in the addition of a second, first-round pick. The Vikings clearly intend to use that pick and other picks to better position themselves in the draft for that quarterback. The Vikings need to pick earlier than #11 to grab one of the top-3/4 quarterbacks. I believe that it will happen. I believe that the Vikings will pay what it costs to insure that Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy is putting on a Vikings hat on draft night.
However. What if the Vikings can’t find a trade partner? What if the Vikings can’t meet the draft trade price? This is a 7-Round Mock Draft with that unfortunate possibility in mind.
1(11). Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
1(23). Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
4(108). Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
4(129). Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
5(157). Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
5(167). Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan
6(177). Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
7(230). Anim Dankwah, OT, Howard
7(232). Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
While this draft doesn’t go as hoped as the Vikings can’t get to the top of the draft. It takes two to make a trade and there wasn’t a partner to be found. The Vikings still get a first-round quarterback. What’s crazy about quarterbacks and the draft these days is that there are nearly always quarterbacks taken at the top of the draft. The quality of those quarterbacks vary wildly. There have been drafts in which Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix might’ve gone in the top-10. I know that I’d rather have either over Zach Wilson or Trey Lance. Even at the time, I couldn’t understand how Wilson and Lance were top-3 picks. Anyway, I feel that the Vikings present a terrific situation for any talented, young quarterback. One of the knocks on Penix and Nix is that each is a couple years older than Maye and McCarthy. I like the potential of Penix. If the Vikings can’t make that big draft trade, I’d be happy with Penix. I’d be thrilled with Byron Murphy II. He might be my favorite non-quarterback in this draft. He also fills the greatest need on the defense.
As for the rest of this draft:
Cam Hart-I’d be thrilled with this pick.
Malik Washington-Thrilled!
Zak Zinter-Thrilled!
Braiden McGregor-Should find a role in the edge rotation.
Kimani Vidal-This pint-sized powerhouse has intrigued me throughout the draft process.
Anim Dankwah-A developmental offensive tackle.
Jordan Magee-Frankly, I’m surprised that PFF still has him available in the seventh.
This “What if” scenario isn’t the best. The Vikings must do what they’ve never done in their 63 years, and all of my years. They must aggressively get that quarterback. They’ve waited, I’ve waited, too damn long. Still, it takes two teams to make a draft trade work. There’s always that chance it doesn’t get done. If that unfortunate scenario plays out, I’d be happy with the above draft. After all, I’m used to the Vikings settling on the quarterback that falls to them.
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